Beat

CARSON, Calif. -- Truly the engine that helped the LA Galaxy run, Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Sarvas enjoyed his best season to date as he played an irreplaceable part in the team’s run to an MLS Cup title.

An indomitable force in the center of the park, Sarvas’ displayed a tendency to only thwart opposition attacks with his ball-winning ability, but was also a key asset to the team’s attack as he notched five goals and 13 assists in all MLS competitions. Sarvas’ most crucial assist came in extra time during MLS Cup when he delivered a pinpoint ball over the top to Robbie Keane for the championship-clinching goal.

Sarvas and his midfield partner Juninho will not doubt have every opportunity to build upon a campaign that saw them crowned the preeminent midfield tandem in Major League Soccer. Once again, Galaxy boss Bruce Arena is expected to call upon Sarvas to provide the offensive output with his timely ability to cover ground while Juninho holds it all together. If this pair can be successful once more, there’s no reason that LA won’t contend for yet another title.

CARSON, Calif. – No member of the LA Galaxy showed more growth and progress in 2015 than outside back Robbie Rogers.

In 2013, Rogers struggled with injuries en route to a disappointing season while also dealing with the scrutiny of being the first openly gay professional athlete in a major American sport. A year later, the story was far different for the 26-year-old as Rogers settled into a new role as the club’s left back amid injuries to veteran options Todd Dunivant and James Riley. At the end of the season, Rogers solidified himself as one of the finest left backs in MLS as he was a vital part in the LA Galaxy’s MLS Cup winning squad with 24 appearances in all MLS competitions with three assists.

As important as 2014 was for the defender, 2015 could be even bigger for Rogers as he looks to not further his development as an outside back, but also continue his push for a place on the U.S. National Team. With Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad needing depth at left back ahead of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup in light of DaMarcus Beasley’s international retirement, Rogers may find a spot in the USMNT’s depth chart.

How would you rate Robbie Rogers' 2014 performance? Read my review of the LA Galaxy defenders while voting and commenting below.

LA Galaxy Homegrown Player Bradford Jamieson IV is among 21 players named to the U.S. Under-20 squad's pre-World Cup qualifying training camp in which began on Sunday. Jamieson was also chosen by head coach Tab Ramos to the team's 35-man preliminary roster from which he will select 20 for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

Ramos will name his 20 man roster for the tournament on Jan. 2 with the camp running until Jan. 5. The U.S. squad will kick off the U-20 Championship on Jan. 9 against host nation Jamaica in Kingston.

“I am looking forward to our last camp leading into U-20 World Cup qualifying, and there will be some very difficult selections in what we think is a very competitive, deep and united pool of players,” said Ramos in a statement on USSoccer.com. “They have performed well together over the past 18 months.”

The complete rosters for both the training camp and the preliminary roster are below.

CARSON, Calif. – Brazilian center back Leonardo is no strange to scorn from LA Galaxy fans, but in 2014, the defender made major strides that may see him start 2015 as the principal partner beside Omar Gonzalez.

Free of the injury issues that plagued him during his first four seasons with the club, Leonardo became a regular in Bruce Arena’s lineup as the Brazilian made 24 appearances and 20 starts—each of which were career-highs. Leonardo also added a goal which was his first tally since the 2011 campaign.

Although Leonardo struggled at times—LA’s CONCACAF Champions League second leg against Club Tijuana was a particularly difficult game—the Brazilian defender showed steady improvement over the course of the season. During the last three months of the team’s campaign in particular, Leonardo blossomed into one of the team’s finest defenders as his physicality and passing ability were vital to LA’s postseason campaign. In addition to his ability to shut down opposing offenses, Leonardo also developed a tendency to push forward into the attack to give the team numbers on set pieces.

Next season, the onus will be on the frequently maligned central defender to stake a claim as Bruce Arena’s primary option alongside Omar Gonzalez in the middle of the back four. To do so, he must continue to be the steady defender of the final months of the season and minimize the mistakes that were apparent at the start of the season.

In 2014, Gargan set career-highs in appearances (29), starts (27) minutes played (2400), and assists (five) after being signed on Bruce Arena’s final addition after preseason. Gargan was also a regular during the postseason as he appeared in all five of the Galaxy’s matches, including coming on as a substitute during the extra time of LA’s MLS Cup victory.

During LA’s run to their fifth MLS Cup title, Gargan was a fixture along the right side of defense—while also occasionally filling in at left back—providing steady defense while also using his speed down the flank to aid in the Galaxy counterattack. But what Gargan does for an encore next season remains to be seen.

In MLS, outside back depth is always an asset and with players like Todd Dunivant another year older, Gargan will have every opportunity to fill along both sides of the flank. However much of where Gargan plays relies on the makeup of the back line: if Arena opts for a center back tandem that includes A.J. DeLaGarza at center back, Gargan will likely have more opportunities to play, but if the LA Galaxy defender of the year is moved out wide, the 32-year-old will likely be used as a depth option.

"I've been asked to go on loan. I think you know me, better than anybody, after a few weeks (inactivity) I get the itch. I've got the itch now 100 percent. I was playing five-a-side with me mates 10 days after the Cup final. That’s the way I am.

"I have been asked (to go on loan by a number of Premier League clubs), yeah. And there’s a temptation because I just love playing football,” he added. “There’s a temptation but I just can’t see it happening to be honest with you. It’s not going to happen.”

As for the rationale behind turning down any perspective loans, Keane notes that given his health—he underwent two Achilles surgeries last December—added traction on his 34-year-old legs would be ill advised heading into the Galaxy’s 2015 campaign.

"There’s certainly a temptation because I just love playing so much,” said Keane. “But I've spoken to people and medically it wouldn't make any sense for me.

"It wouldn't probably be fair at this moment after what I put myself through after the operations that I've had. I want to continue for a long time and this is probably my best bet but as I say it’s tempting but, like i say, it’s not going to happen."

The man from Tallaght is returning home in 2015 when Robbie Keane leads the LA Galaxy to the Republic of Ireland where they'll face 17-time Irish league champion Shamrock Rovers F.C. at Tallaght Stadium on Feb. 21.

Keane was on hand at Tallaght Stadium on Monday morning to reveal that the match will take place during the Galaxy's 2015 preseason preparations. During his press conference, Keane spoke to Shamrock Rovers' SRTV about the match and his thoughts on playing in his home town.

The LA Galaxy will be heading to Europe this preseason when they take on the Republic of Ireland's Shamrock Rovers F.C. at Tallaght Stadium on Feb. 21 at 8 a.m. PT

LA's match against Rovers will see 2014 MLS MVP Robbie Keane return to his home town of Dublin -- and most specifically Tallaght -- to play Shamrock Rovers, which is the most successful professional club in Irish history. Rovers have won the League of Ireland 17 times while also winning the FAI Cup a record 24 times.

Retired LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan received a lifetime achievement award from Univision during their Premios Unvision Deportes which aired on Thursday night.

A visibly emotional Donovan was presented the award by MLS commissioner Don Garber while presenters Ivan Kasanzew and Enrique “Perro” Bermudez showed Donovan a video of fans from across the country thanking him for his soccer exploits. The MLS and U.S. Soccer scoring leader then went on to give a speech in which he thanked several including the kids that he grew up playing soccer with who helped inspire him to learn Spanish.

Although the video is entirely in Spanish, it's worth a watch given how emotional Donovan became at receiving such a distinct honor.

CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy will go from the final MLS game of 2014 to the very first of the 2015 season.

Major League Soccer announced on Friday morning that the Galaxy will host the Chicago Fire on Friday, March 6 at StubHub Center in a match that will air on Unimas at 7:00 p.m. PT. LA have hosted Chicago once before to start the season back in March 2013 when the Galaxy were also returning MLS Cup champions.

The Galaxy are 9-8-2 in all opening matches.

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Excited for the Fire to come to down? Ready to see former Galaxy players Mike Magee, Michael Stephens and Greg Cochrane?